do next. Most of the time, songs will end on the 1 chord or the 4 chord of the key they’ re in. So, ask yourself: if I end on the 1, where am I going next?
Maybe your plan is to hold out the 1 while you wait to see if someone begins speaking or praying and then move back into a progression from the song. Or maybe you’ ll move into a new, simple progression that you already feel comfortable playing.
Whatever you decide, practice doing it confidently.
That confidence is a gift to the rest of the team. When everyone else drops out and you can confidently take the“ musical reins,” you’ ve created some breathing room for everyone else to listen, respond, and figure out what comes next. It doesn’ t have to be complicated. In fact, it can be incredibly simple. But having a plan makes all the difference.
TRY SOMETHING NEW Once you have one or two plans in your back pocket, use them regularly. Get comfortable playing while someone is praying or speaking, and start making a habit of being familiar with the planned flow of the service. The more you understand how things are supposed to go, the easier it becomes to recognize when they’ re starting to go somewhere else. And that’ s where things get even more fun.
The cool thing about filling space is that it can be different every time. Once you’ re comfortable and confident playing in these moments, you have the freedom to change things up. Try a progression you haven’ t used before. Play in a different register. Space your chords out more. Add a little riff between chord changes. See what happens when you give yourself permission to explore instead of just trying to avoid an awkward silence.
One of my favorite things to do, and one of the most challenging, when someone is speaking during a set, is to let what they’ re saying influence what I’ m playing. If it’ s a serious moment, I’ ll choose chords that fit the mood. If it’ s casual or lighthearted, I’ ll keep things pretty simple. If it’ s a passionate prayer or word being preached, I’ ll match their energy with my intensity.
You’ re not just filling space at that point. You’ re listening and responding. And whether you’ re a beginner or an advanced keys player, you already have the tools you need to start practicing these moments at a level that makes sense for you.
So don’ t shy away from the unknown. If something feels uncomfortable to do during a service, that might be exactly the thing you need to practice at home.
Don’ t miss opportunities like these to grow as a musician, a leader, and a worshipper. Those little moments between the songs may not be what you planned for, but with a little preparation, they can become some of the most meaningful moments in your set.
David Pfaltzgraff Founder and Lead Sound Designer at sundaysounds. com, a site that resources worship keys players and worship leaders around the world. David currently resides in Colorado with his wife and three kids. He enjoys serving on his local worship team, vintage synthesizers, rock climbing, and traveling.
SundaySounds. com
October 2026 Subscribe for Free... 101